What a spectacular day we had on the last Wednesday in April at Paradise Bay, more correctly known as Motukahakaha. A new record for walkers in our group with 26 adults and two infants. Thanks to Don Hammond for these excellent photos. Just another day in paradise in the far north of New Zealand

“In Search of Simplicity is a unique and awe-inspiring way to re-visit and even answer some of the gnawing questions we all intrinsically have about the meaning of life and our true, individual purpose on the planet. I love this book.”

“In Search of Simplicity is one of those rare literary jewels with the ability to completely and simultaneously ingratiate itself into the mind, heart and soul of the reader.”

Heather Slocumb, Apex Reviews

“The author’s experiments and experiences working with nature simply amaze. . . .Beyond the Search isa treasure trove for those who enjoy planting and reaping as it seems nature intended, with respect for each animal and insect as belonging on the planet and therefore deserving of honour.”

On the last day of August our Wednesday walking group returned to Nga Taki. This is the site of a massive pinus radiata plantation that continues to be selectively milled. The entire project has been comprehensively described in the book Forest on Sand: The story of Aupouri State Forest by E.V. Sale. In a pine nutshell, teams of locals (mostly Maori) planted the sand dunes in marram grass. This was followed by the distribution of lupine seeds. The marram stabilised the shifting sands and the lupines fixed nitrogen for the planting of pines which began about five years later. Des Ogle of the New Zealand Forest Service initiated the project in the 1960s. Today, some of the areas are into their third generation of pine planting.

We all know pines from California aren’t part of the natural ecology of New Zealand but this project has saved farms, homes and even roads from being inundated by sand and at the same time has created somewhat sustainable employment in an area that was (and is) literally crying out for work.

As a tramping group it can be disconcerting to see areas we’ve enjoyed walking through in previous years turned into ugly undulating landscapes of stubbled trees. For this reason, we choose places to walk in this huge forest that are far removed from the noisy activities of milling.

I’m not sure just how wild horses came to be part of the evolving ecology of this impressive project; but they are stunning to see in their small herds. E.V. Sale writes in Forest on Sand: ‘. . . their ancestry [is] the subject of much conjecture. Are they descendents of horses given to the Maori by Reverend Samuel Marsden? Or of army mounts escaped from a wrecked ship or unloaded in the North instead of being taken to the Boer War?’

This particular day we encountered two herds while driving through the forest and had another conveniently decide to walk past as we sat by a temporary dune lake (fed by recent rains) to eat our lunches. A blond-maned stallion watched on as mares and a young foal grazed on the spring flush of herbs growing in the damp areas between dunes. The stallion periodically chased off another young male that stayed on the fringe of the herd, presumably attracted to a mare in heat.

The walk is made up of three distinct ecosystems—the pine plantations, Ninety Mile Beach and the fringe of dunes that separates them. Our walk began in the seemingly endless forest of pines, this day fragrant with the blossom of acacia, another import that has found its way into the higher-light road margins, and buzzing with bees attracted to those rich yellow blossoms.

Next we entered the wild dunes that rise up in undulating waves in back of Te Oneroa a Tōhē (Ninety Mile Beach). The wetness of winter had created numerous temporary ponds. We began our search for wild horses and almost immediately sighted some feeding in the distance. Tom and Chris Farrell, two swallows that join our tramping group each winter and spring, had set markers to help us navigate this confusing landscape. Tom and Chris have spent countless days over the years exploring the pine plantations of the Aupouri Peninsula, searching for horses and perhaps attracted to the trees that originate in their home state of California.

Once we reached the beach itself the group considered the possibility of heading north to the Bluff, a prominent landmark on a beach of few features to mark one’s location. The Bluff is often visited by fishermen, the odd one getting caught out by rogue waves. A few lives have been lost over the years.

This mild, spring-like day we instead decided to head south into a light breeze. The overcast sky at the time discouraged the hardier group members from braving a dip in the rough, noisy surf of the Tasman Sea.

After a couple kilometres of beach walking Tom and Chris led us back into the dunes, eventually finding the temporary lake where we lunched and were visited by the small herd of wild horses. After lunch we looped through the dunes before re-entering the muffled stillness of the forest. Our total relatively easy walking distance for the day was 12 kilometres.

All in all, Nga Taki is yet another unique, unusual and beautiful part of the rich Far North panorama.

“In Search of Simplicity is a unique and awe-inspiring way to re-visit and even answer some of the gnawing questions we all intrinsically have about the meaning of life and our true, individual purpose on the planet. I love this book.”

“In Search of Simplicity is one of those rare literary jewels with the ability to completely and simultaneously ingratiate itself into the mind, heart and soul of the reader.”

Heather Slocumb, Apex Reviews

“The author’s experiments and experiences working with nature simply amaze. . . .Beyond the Search isa treasure trove for those who enjoy planting and reaping as it seems nature intended, with respect for each animal and insect as belonging on the planet and therefore deserving of honour.”

“In Search of Simplicity is a unique and awe-inspiring way to re-visit and even answer some of the gnawing questions we all intrinsically have about the meaning of life and our true, individual purpose on the planet. I love this book.”

“In Search of Simplicity is one of those rare literary jewels with the ability to completely and simultaneously ingratiate itself into the mind, heart and soul of the reader.”

Heather Slocumb, Apex Reviews

“The author’s experiments and experiences working with nature simply amaze. . . .Beyond the Search isa treasure trove for those who enjoy planting and reaping as it seems nature intended, with respect for each animal and insect as belonging on the planet and therefore deserving of honour.”

Wednesday’s walk carried us 15 kilometres along pristine, mostly empty beaches from Rangiputa to Puheke, Karikari Bbeach and Maitai Bay. How’s this for winter? I must say my dip in the sea was rather brief!

“In Search of Simplicity is a unique and awe-inspiring way to re-visit and even answer some of the gnawing questions we all intrinsically have about the meaning of life and our true, individual purpose on the planet. I love this book.”

“In Search of Simplicity is one of those rare literary jewels with the ability to completely and simultaneously ingratiate itself into the mind, heart and soul of the reader.”

Heather Slocumb, Apex Reviews

“The author’s experiments and experiences working with nature simply amaze. . . .Beyond the Search isa treasure trove for those who enjoy planting and reaping as it seems nature intended, with respect for each animal and insect as belonging on the planet and therefore deserving of honour.”

After our walk yesterday on and near Honeymoon Valley Road in Peria we stopped at the Bush Fairy Dairy for coffee and hot chocolate (which were excellent by the way). There we bumped into Martin, who is contracted to trap predators in the landcare trust area where we had been walking. He explained that the last count he made there indicated 45 kiwi. This is not a complete population but gives an indication of a relatively high density of birds, which is great.

Martin had just returned from a day out monitoring kiwi on Mahinepua Peninsula, a place we visited in May. The photos here are from that walk in April. But please watch the video made by WWF which includes Martin holding kiwi. Martin enthusiastically shared a little of his knowledge regarding New Zealand’s national bird. The link to the YouTube clip is here.

Kiwi are remarkable birds, being nocturnal burrow dwellers. Their egg size to adult size is the largest of any bird and the males incubate. All in all, these endangered birds are quirky and worth all the effort people make to protect them.

“In Search of Simplicity is a unique and awe-inspiring way to re-visit and even answer some of the gnawing questions we all intrinsically have about the meaning of life and our true, individual purpose on the planet. I love this book.”

“In Search of Simplicity is one of those rare literary jewels with the ability to completely and simultaneously ingratiate itself into the mind, heart and soul of the reader.”

Heather Slocumb, Apex Reviews

“The author’s experiments and experiences working with nature simply amaze. . . .Beyond the Search isa treasure trove for those who enjoy planting and reaping as it seems nature intended, with respect for each animal and insect as belonging on the planet and therefore deserving of honour.”

“In Search of Simplicity is a unique and awe-inspiring way to re-visit and even answer some of the gnawing questions we all intrinsically have about the meaning of life and our true, individual purpose on the planet. I love this book.”

“In Search of Simplicity is one of those rare literary jewels with the ability to completely and simultaneously ingratiate itself into the mind, heart and soul of the reader.”

Heather Slocumb, Apex Reviews

“The author’s experiments and experiences working with nature simply amaze. . . .Beyond the Search isa treasure trove for those who enjoy planting and reaping as it seems nature intended, with respect for each animal and insect as belonging on the planet and therefore deserving of honour.”

Last week the Wednesday Walkers were invited to tour the 800 acre farm of John Garton in Fern Flat. Some 6 or 7 years ago John gifted 105 hectares of regenerating hill-country native bush as an open space covenant of the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust —a generous move on the part of a farmer whose family has owned this land for 94 years.

Steep going up.

John, who turns 80 next year, guided us on a walk that would have exhausted many a younger man. He shared stories from his youth, noting the incredible community spirit that once enveloped the rural area he called home. ‘Whenever a house was sold, the whole community would hold a farewell party for those leaving,’ recalled John. Then, a week after the new people had moved in, the process would be repeated so that the newcomers had a chance to meet all their neighbours.

And steep going down.

The social fabric of the community was strong and the nature of life resulted in strong, fit people. Children either walked or went on horseback to and from school. Couples met at the regular dances held in the community halls of the area. John expressed concern that young people growing up today don’t have the benefits of the strong community bonds of yesteryear. Something to think about.

John Garton and his faithful farm dog.

Trudging up and down the steep hills of the family farm must have played a part in keeping John fit. Despite being on his second pacemaker he is still able to shear 100 sheep in a day.

While preparing this post I browsed the Queen Elizabeth II National Trustwebsite. I came across a story I have repeated to many others. A very inspiring story.

Robert ‘Mútt’ Lange, a successful songwriter and music producer, and ex-husband of Shania Twain, has gifted 53,000 hectares to Queen Elizabeth II National Trust as an open space covenant. In essence he has gifted New Zealanders a block of land 10 times larger than any other open space covenant ever given in New Zealand. Why, you might ask? Because he wants to make a difference. He has a team of people who have thus far eradicated 7,500 feral goats and are planting around 12,000 native trees and plants a month in the 8-9 months each year that allow planting in this mountainous part of the South Island.

Please click below to see a six minute clip on Campbell Live. I hope you are as inspired as I am. Here’s a man who cares and who is putting his money where his mouth is. What a great example some of our empire-building leaders could learn from. Who’s next?

“In Search of Simplicity is a unique and awe-inspiring way to re-visit and even answer some of the gnawing questions we all intrinsically have about the meaning of life and our true, individual purpose on the planet. I love this book.”

“In Search of Simplicity is one of those rare literary jewels with the ability to completely and simultaneously ingratiate itself into the mind, heart and soul of the reader.”

Heather Slocumb, Apex Reviews

“The author’s experiments and experiences working with nature simply amaze. . . . Beyond the Search is a treasure trove for those who enjoy planting and reaping as it seems nature intended, with respect for each animal and insect as belonging on the planet and therefore deserving of honour.”